NOVEL WEB Chapter 249: Breaking Seal
Orion's breathing came in sharp, ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling rapidly as blood trickled down his back, pooling at his feet.
Each breath was a painful struggle, his vision flickering between darkness and blurred glimpses of his enemies. His body trembled, yet the raw determination blazing within his eyes refused to fade.
The kidnappers, sensing Orion's waning strength, edged closer, eyes filled with ruthless confidence.
But just as they stepped forward to finish him, something primal surged from deep within Orion's soul. He unleashed his Dragon's Might, a profound and ancient aura erupting from him like an invisible tempest, shaking the very foundations of the forest clearing.
In an instant, the kidnappers stumbled backward, caught off guard by the overwhelming, oppressive presence. Their knees buckled, expressions twisting into panic and confusion.
"What the hell is this?!" gasped one of the Tier 4 kidnappers, desperately shielding his face with a shaking arm.
"It can't be!" the Tier 5 enemy growled, struggling to keep his footing. "I didn't expect another Draconian to be here!"
Immediately, the kidnappers began pulling out protective artifacts. Necklaces, bracelets, and rings adorned with luminous gemstones flashed urgently into their hands, hastily slipping them on to counter the devastating force of Orion's Dragon's Might.
A soft glow pulsed from the treasures, attempting to neutralize the crushing pressure. Yet, the artifacts only partially succeeded, barely managing to block thirty percent of Orion's true draconic might.
Even with that minor reduction, the kidnappers felt as if a massive weight still pressed upon their chests.
"What's going on?" the dagger-wielder cursed under his breath. "Why is it still so intense?"
Orion, unaware of their confusion, seized the opportunity. Ignoring the agony coursing through him, he tightened his grip on the Realm Guardian Sword.
Flames flickered along the blade, ignited by his resolve. He swung forcefully, releasing another Inferno Slash that drove the kidnappers briefly further back.
But the relief was short-lived. The Tier 5 kidnapper roared furiously, forcing himself through the lingering pressure.
His daggers moved viciously, forcing Orion into a desperate retreat. Orion countered again and again, each swing and parry consuming more of his dwindling strength.
From nearby, Fiora watched—no longer bound, but still frozen in place. Her body trembled as she witnessed the relentless assault, Orion's bloodied figure barely standing against the overwhelming odds.
Her breath hitched violently. 'Why… why won't he stop? He's dying!'
Tears welled in her eyes, her heart pounding painfully with each blow Orion endured. The sight of him struggling to stay upright, refusing to fall despite his injuries, shattered something deep within her.
"No… Orion… please…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Then—crack.
At that exact moment, a golden sigil emblazoned over her heart cracked with brilliant, glowing fissures.
The seal, placed by Selene to suppress Fiora's Dragonoid lineage, shattered under her overwhelming anguish.
Fiora screamed as potent mana surged through her body, transforming her rapidly. Lava-like red scales erupted along her limbs, razor-sharp claws replacing delicate fingernails.
Her golden hair rose upward, charged by magical energy, small dragon wings unfurling majestically from her back. Her eyes glowed fiercely, vertical slits of red blazing with newfound power.
A shockwave burst forth as Fiora completed her transformation, the sudden influx of power pushing back the Tier 4 kidnapper. The Tier 5 enemy's expression shifted instantly from arrogance to genuine caution.
"Finally decided to reveal your true colors?!" he snarled, stepping back instinctively as Fiora's golden gaze locked onto him, filled with fierce rage and unbridled emotion.
With a heart-wrenching roar, Fiora lunged toward the Tier 5 enemy, her claws slamming into his defenses.
The man raised his daggers, but the force behind her attack forced him back several steps, eyes widening with shock.
Orion turned his head at Fiora's fierce cry, his battered face filled with astonishment. But when their eyes met, Fiora froze, eyes widening in terror and shame. She instinctively lowered her head, her voice trembling as she pleaded softly, desperately.
"P-Please… don't look at me…" Her voice was fragile, a vulnerable whisper. Shame and self-loathing flashed vividly across her features, convinced her draconic form was monstrous, unworthy of Orion's gaze.
Yet Orion's eyes never wavered. Bloodied, barely standing, he simply watched her steadily. In his gaze was no disgust or fear, only love and sadness at not being able to protect her.
Fiora hesitated, heart pounding painfully. Clenching her fists tightly, she forced herself forward again, channeling her embarrassment into burning anger.
She attacked relentlessly, pushing the Tier 5 enemy fiercely with a barrage of powerful blows, each strike driven by intense emotion.
Meanwhile, Orion, trembling from exhaustion and severe blood loss, grasped shakily inside his inventory.
His fingers closed around a small, warmly glowing vial—the Phoenix Ash Elixir. With desperate urgency, he pulled it free, uncorked it using his teeth, and downed the contents swiftly.
Immediately, gentle flames ignited in his chest, spreading warmth throughout his battered body.
His pain dulled significantly, breathing growing steadier as blood flow slowed. While the wounds didn't fully close, strength flooded back into his limbs, allowing him to stand tall again, sword tightly in hand.
The Tier 6 kidnapper, observing Fiora's sudden emergence and rapid escalation, swiftly moved to subdue. 'Tch. Why the hell are there two Draconians in this single place… and that brat's already showing three damn affinities? What kind of monster did we stumble into?'
But Orion, sensing the danger, moved faster—activating his Nine-Step Quake footwork and appearing instantly between Fiora and the approaching enemy. His blood-stained body swayed, yet he stood resolutely, sword raised defiantly.
His voice came out raw but powerful, eyes blazing with absolute determination. "You'll have to go through me first."
The Tier 6 kidnapper narrowed his eyes coldly, analyzing the sudden interference.
Fiora, eyes filled with panic, shouted desperately at Orion, not realizing his severe injuries. "Young Master, move away! Don't—!"
But Orion didn't budge, didn't falter. He stood firm, back straight despite his exhaustion and bleeding wounds.
Fiora's heart clenched at his unwavering resolve, tears filling her golden eyes once more. She bit her lip fiercely, moving quickly to stand by his side, determination flooding her expression.
Now side by side, Orion and Fiora stood united, facing down their formidable foes together. Orion's lingering Dragon's Might rippled subtly around him, exerting pressure.
Fiora's draconic form glowed with fierce battle aura, her newfound Tier 5 power creating a stalemate with their opponents.
The Tier 6 kidnapper paused slightly, reassessing the situation. For a brief moment, the battlefield paused, an uneasy silence falling over the chaotic forest clearing.
Orion and Fiora exchanged a quick glance, each drawing strength from the other's presence.
Fiora spoke softly, her voice still quivering, yet firm. "I'm… sorry, Young Master. I d-didn't want you to see me like this."
Orion smiled faintly, shaking his head gently despite his pain. His voice was calm, filled with genuine love. "You're beautiful, Fiora. Never think otherwise. And you aren't that different from me."
Her heart trembled violently, tears blurring her vision. But she nodded slowly, a faint smile blooming through her shame, yet she couldn't understand what he meant by his last words.
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Fiora, their backs nearly touching, breaths heavy as tension crackled in the air around them. The forest clearing was a chaotic, battle-scarred arena, moonlight illuminating the damage and bloodshed already wrought.
Fiora took a deep breath to calm her emotions, her golden eyes narrowed fiercely, her draconic form radiating powerful, searing heat.
The scales along her arms and legs shimmered, each reflecting the flames she conjured instinctively. She lunged toward the Tier 5 kidnapper, her clawed hands swiping ferociously.
Each strike was accompanied by a fierce roar, a guttural cry of rage and defiance, startlingly different from the gentle girl Orion knew.